Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Del Taco coming
First Del Taco in Alabama has opened in Dothan. In addition to this location plans are to open at least a dozen more in the state including Huntsville, Montgomery, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.
No timeline was indicated but expect it sooner than later.

[HSVTiger]

Developer Bob Broadway goes before the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission for a second time Monday to make a case for partially demolishing East Clinton School.

Broadway said he will present two possible options that spare the school's Art Deco façade while allowing him to build new houses on the rest of the 3.6-acre property. The 4:30 p.m. preservation commission meeting has been moved to the ground floor of Huntsville City Hall to accommodate an expected large crowd



Source Huntsville Times

[PSMadison]

Originally Posted by mlog

A restaurant at Providence has gone out of business: Tony's Little Italy.

What, the magnificent view of the new mud hole didn't help their business?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by PSMadison

What, the magnificent view of the new mud hole didn't help their business?

Providence not Bridge Street but your point is valid. Mellow Mushroom was probably too much and I think it had changed owners or something like that.

[mlog]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

Providence not Bridge Street but your point is valid. Mellow Mushroom was probably too much and I think it had changed owners or something like that.

I never had a problem with Tony's food, but the service was often slow.

By the way, I noticed yesterday that Wolf Camera on W. University was closed.

[HSVTiger]

Developers from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia have expressed interest in turning an underused corner of John Hunt Park into a mixed-use retail center.

Huntsville Director of Urban Development Shane Davis said "multiple" companies responded.
According to the bid document, the city will only sell the land to a developer who commits to building "high quality" retail space with ample parking and heavy landscaping. The project will border Kids Space playground.
Plans call for ripping up runways last used in the 1960s to make room for a 4,000-seat indoor sports arena and lakeside concert amphitheater. The Benton H. Wilcoxon Ice Complex would get a third rink and arena seating for about 1,200, allowing it to host larger hockey and figure skating competitions. The old Jaycees Building would be replaced by a "multi-purpose community activities" facility, and two more championship-caliber soccer fields would be added near the park's main entrance.

The improvements would continue on the south side of Airport Road with a new splash fountain, picnic areas, at least eight new tennis courts at the city tennis complex, and miles of tree-lined jogging trails.

[Jugernagt]

Originally Posted by mlog

By the way, I noticed yesterday that Wolf Camera on W. University was closed.

Right along with the stupid "We Buy Gold" place next to them.

[thunder89]

So, according to WAFF-TV News, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is seeking to move, with sites in either Birmingham or Huntsville. (Sorry, I couldn't find the story)

Basically, Huntsville needs to be pulling out the stops to get this attraction in the downtown area IMO. I know Birmingham is making a push due to its centrality of the state in general and the allure of putting it in its newly developed entertainment district.

Get on the ball Huntsville, and put together a package. I think it would be a great venue for the city to have, if done properly, small acts could perform there that might not be able to perform at the VBC.

[huntsvillefan]

Originally Posted by thunder89

So, according to WAFF-TV News, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is seeking to move, with sites in either Birmingham or Huntsville. (Sorry, I couldn't find the story)

Basically, Huntsville needs to be pulling out the stops to get this attraction in the downtown area IMO. I know Birmingham is making a push due to its centrality of the state in general and the allure of putting it in its newly developed entertainment district.

Get on the ball Huntsville, and put together a package. I think it would be a great venue for the city to have, if done properly, small acts could perform there that might not be able to perform at the VBC.

I had not heard this news but, if true, I totally agree with this post. Huntsville needs to get this project downtown.

[Rail Claimore]

I don't think it will draw nearly the visitors in Huntsville as it would in Birmingham. I mean, we are at the northern edge of the state. The last thing downtown needs is a museum that sits as a deadweight due to lack of visitors.

[stewdog1]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

I don't think it will draw nearly the visitors in Huntsville as it would in Birmingham. I mean, we are at the northern edge of the state. The last thing downtown needs is a museum that sits as a deadweight due to lack of visitors.

However, Huntsville is much closer to the country music mecca of Nashville. I don't know if that would make a difference or not...

[BlakFlava]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

I don't think it will draw nearly the visitors in Huntsville as it would in Birmingham. I mean, we are at the northern edge of the state. The last thing downtown needs is a museum that sits as a deadweight due to lack of visitors.

I agree. Huntsville won't have the support to sustain this.

Montgomery and Tuscaloosa are in the mix too. From my understanding, Montgomery is making a push for it. Honestly, I think it going to come down to B'ham and Da Gump. They're more urban than Huntsville.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by BlakFlava

I agree. Huntsville won't have the support to sustain this.

Montgomery and Tuscaloosa are in the mix too. From my understanding, Montgomery is making a push for it. Honestly, I think it going to come down to B'ham and Da Gump. They're more urban than Huntsville.

I wonder if Mobile will make a push for it...

[BlakFlava]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

I wonder if Mobile will make a push for it...

Mobile would be great too. Not to knock Huntsville, but to me, B'ham, Mobile, and Montgomery just seems better for this.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

I wonder if Mobile will make a push for it...

I doubt it.

[HSVTiger]

Watercress at Bridge Street closed after 2 1/2 years. This was an excellent restaurant and great service. So why did they not make it? Location may be one reason. They had a great following when they we're in the out of the way place downtown and did very well. The move to BS probably caused them to lose the feel and ambiance they had downtown.

Lost in all of the Airbus news,

Boeing is the largest aerospace company in Alabama and one of the state's
largest employers. Huntsville employees in leased facilities have begun moving
into the first completed building of the Redstone Gateway complex, which is
expected to house 1,400 Boeing employees in 363,000 square feet of space.

"This is more than a new Boeing-owned office complex - today is a celebration of
the investment Boeing has made in the ideas, innovation and inspiration rooted
right here in Huntsville," Tony Jones, vice president and Boeing Huntsville
site executive, said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included state and local
leaders and customer representatives.

The complex will be used for Boeing's work on NASA's Space Launch System and
headquarters for the company's Strategic Missile and Defense Systems division.

"Boeing is both a top employer in Huntsville and an important community
partner," said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. "Just last year, we celebrated
the dedicated partnership Boeing has had with our community over the last 50
years, and today's ribbon cutting is another sign that Boeing is committed to
the Huntsville community. Boeing exemplifies what it means to be a good
corporate steward and civic partner."

Employees will move into the complex's second building later this year and the
third in early 2014. Boeing will continue operating from the company-owned
Jetplex location in Huntsville.

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by BlakFlava

Mobile would be great too. Not to knock Huntsville, but to me, B'ham, Mobile, and Montgomery just seems better for this.

Mobile wouldn't work for the same reasons as Huntsville. In fact, it's even more isolated from the rest of the state's population than Huntsville is, being in a corner of the less populated half of the state.

[HSVTiger]

Downtown school will wait for its future

Bob Broadway says his company The Broadway group will no longer be involved in the redevelopment of the East Clinton Property. Broadway did not renew his interest in the property last week when his original contract expired.
The future of the historic Art-Deco building located in Old Town has been the topic of much debate since the school closed last year and the small student population was merged with Blossomwood. Any changes to the school would have had to be approved by the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission; something Broadway says was obviously not going to happen
"For us to extend the contract we would have to put more earnest money down that would have been non-refundable and so at this point in time if you don't have the votes you don't have the votes,” said Broadway.
The commercial developer presented two different plans to the commission, both of which maintained at least a portion of the front of the school. Both plans included the demolition of the remaining school and the construction of several residential single family homes. People who live in and around the area were split on the issue.

He says as far as the future of the building is concerned, at this point he has no idea what will happen, but is disappointed this opportunity to redevelop the property has passed him by.
"I'm a little disappointed, I put a lot into it."
From WAAY TV

[Jugernagt]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) —

Three popular Bridge Street Town Centre establishments are closed and collectively owe more than ten thousand dollars in taxes, according to county records obtained by WHNT News 19.

Madison County Tax Collector Lynda Hall says Watercress Restaurant, The Heritage Club, and Pinz, all located in the Bridgestreet Town Centre, are closed and owed business personal property taxes in excess of ten thousand dollars.

Full story here:
http://whnt.com/2013/04/29/tax-collector-comes-knocking-at-several-bridgestreet-businesses/

.

[ttownfeen]

Not looking good for non-chains at Bridge Street